Snap-fit attachment repair

Abstract

A system and method for attaching two automotive cooling modules together is provided. A first cooling module has a tab extending outwardly therefrom, the tab having an aperture extending therethrough. A second cooling module has a backwall and one or more flexible prongs extending in a first direction from the backwall and through the aperture of the tab in a snap-fit attachment. The tab is spaced from the backwall when the one or more prongs are attached to the tab. The second cooling module also has a boss extending in a second direction from the backwall, wherein the boss has a receptacle aligned with the aperture of the tab. In the event of damage to the one or more prongs, the one or more prongs can be removed, and a fastener can be fastened through the aperture of the tab and into the boss.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for attaching two automotive cooling modules together, the system comprising:
 a first cooling module having a tab extending outwardly therefrom, the tab having an aperture extending therethrough; and   a second cooling module attached to the first cooling module and having:
 a backwall; 
 one or more flexible prongs extending in a first direction from the backwall and through the aperture of the tab in a snap-fit attachment, wherein the tab is spaced from the backwall when the one or more prongs are attached to the tab; and 
 a boss extending in a second direction from the backwall, wherein the boss has a receptacle aligned with the aperture of the tab. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the snap-fit attachment provides an attachment between the first cooling module and the second cooling module in a first configuration, and wherein the first cooling module and the second cooling module are configured to be attached in a second configuration in which the one or more prongs are removed and a fastener extends through the aperture of the tab and into the receptacle in the boss. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second cooling module includes a pair of sidewalls extending from the backwall in the first direction, and wherein the tab contacts the sidewalls when attached to the second cooling module. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the boss is spaced from the tab. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is a cylindrical pocket or hole. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the receptacle does not include a threaded surface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more prongs includes a pair of prongs, and the receptacle is located between the pair of prongs. 
     
     
         8 . A method for servicing an attachment between two automotive components, the method comprising:
 attaching a tab of a first automotive component with prongs of a second automotive component in a snap-fit attachment in which the prongs extend through an aperture of the tab, and wherein the aperture of the tab is aligned with a receptacle formed within a boss of the second automotive component;   upon at least one of the prongs being damaged, removing the prongs from the second automotive component; then   aligning the aperture of the tab with the receptacle of the second automotive component; and then   attaching the tab of the first automotive component with the second automotive component by inserting a fastener through the aperture of the tab and into the receptacle within the boss.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 prior to the step of attaching the tab of the first automotive component with prongs of the second automotive component in a snap-fit attachment, aligning the aperture of the tab with the receptacle of the boss.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of attaching the tab of the first automotive component with the second automotive component by inserting a fastener includes contacting the tab with sidewalls that extend from a wall that the boss extends from such that the tab remains spaced from the boss. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inserting a fastener includes inserting a self-tapping screw. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the removing the prongs from the second automotive component includes snapping the prongs off of the second automotive component. 
     
     
         13 . An attachment comprising:
 a first component having a tab extending therefrom, the tab having an aperture extending therethrough; and   a second component having a backwall, a pair of prongs extending from the backwall, and a boss extending from the backwall, wherein the boss defines a receptacle extending therein;   wherein the first component is attached to the second component in:
 a first configuration in which the aperture is aligned with the receptacle, the tab is spaced from the backwall, and the prongs extend through the aperture and connect to the tab in a snap-fit attachment, and 
 a second configuration in which the aperture is aligned with the receptacle, the tab is spaced from the backwall, the prongs are removed, and a fastener extends through the aperture and into the receptacle. 
   
     
     
         14 . The attachment of  claim 13 , wherein the backwall includes a first surface and an opposed second surface, wherein the pair of prongs extend from the first surface and the boss extends from the second surface. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment of  claim 14 , wherein the second component includes a pair of sidewalls extending from the first surface, and wherein the tab contacts the sidewalls when attached to the second component in the first configuration and in the second configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The attachment of  claim 13 , wherein the receptacle extends only partially into the boss. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment of  claim 13 , wherein the fastener is a self-tapping fastener. 
     
     
         18 . The attachment of  claim 13 , wherein the boss is a solid material except for the receptacle such that the fastener is non-accessible from any side of the boss when extending into the boss in the second configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The attachment of  claim 18 , wherein the fastener attaches the first component to the second component in the second configuration without a nut. 
     
     
         20 . The attachment of  claim 13 , wherein a gap exists between the tab and the backwall such that in the second configuration the fastener extends for a length beyond the tab before contacting the backwall.